Interactive textile article and augmented reality system

ABSTRACT

A system and method an interactive textile article including a textile material having a design object that includes one or more design object identifiers. The design object is associated with an augmented reality software program configured to include content related the design object. A processor configured to execute the augmented reality program so as to compile a design object depiction based the design object identifiers contained in the design object. The processor executes a first augmented content level of a plurality of augmented content levels so as to display 1) the design object depiction, 2) augmentation elements that are related to the design object, and 3) an input element configured to control the design object depiction and the augmentation elements.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.14/856,250, filed Sep. 16, 2015, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,524,589,which claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119 of Indian PatentApplication No. 3334/MUM/2015, filed Aug. 31, 2015. The contents of eachapplication listed in this paragraph are incorporated by reference intothe present application.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to an interactive textile articles andaugmented reality system and related methods.

BACKGROUND

Augmented reality (AR) is a direct or indirect view of a physical,real-world object that is augmented (or supplemented) bycomputer-generated elements or sensory inputs such as sound, video,graphics or GPS data. AR technology functions by enhancing one's currentperception of reality. AR technology can be implemented in the physicalworld whereby computer generated elements are projected onto physicalobjects. Alternatively, AR technology can be implemented throughcomputing devices whereby computer generated elements are overlaid ontoimages of physical objects captured by the computing device. Advances incomputing, such as user interface technologies, data processing, objectrecognition have created new opportunities for implementing augmentedreality technologies on mobile computing devices, such as smartphonesand tablets.

Textile articles, such as garments, bedding, curtains, etc., areubiquitous products. In a given day, textile articles define much of oursensory experience (e.g. sound, sight, touch, smell). But advances intextile technologies has led to new interactions between the user andtextile materials. For example, wearable technologies includes sensorsembedded into the fabric structure of a garment. The sensors measurephysiological parameters and signal data can be transmitted to a linkedcomputing device. Textile articles, however, as ubiquitous as they are,have not yet converged in a meaningful way with the nearly ubiquitousdigital technologies brought about by modern mobile devices and advancedcommunication networks.

SUMMARY

There is need to implement an augmented reality application thatinteracts with design elements of interactive textile articles.Accordingly, an embodiment of the present disclosure is a system thatincludes an interactive textile article including a textile materialhaving a face and a back that is opposed to the face. At least one ofthe face and the back includes a design object. The design objectincludes one or more design object identifiers. The design object isassociated with an augmented reality software program configured toinclude content related to the design object. The system also includes acomputing device that includes a memory containing the augmented realityprogram. The augmented reality program includes a plurality of augmentedcontent levels. The computing device further includes a processorconfigured to execute the augmented reality program that compiles adesign object depiction that is based on one or more design objectidentifiers in the design object. The augmented reality program can alsoexecute a first augmented content level of the plurality of augmentedcontent levels. The first augmented content level is configured todisplay 1) the design object depiction, 2) one or more augmentationelements related to the design object, and 3) at least one input elementconfigured to control the design object depiction and the one or moreaugmentation elements. In such an embodiment, the textile article is ablanket, bed linen, a comforter, a rug, a carpet, a tapestry, a set ofcurtains, any other home textile product, or a garment.

Another embodiment of the disclosure is a method for displayingaugmented reality on a computing device based on an interactive textilearticle. The method includes scanning a portion of an interactivetextile article that includes a design object so as to identify one ormore design object identifiers of the design object. The method furtherincludes the step of compiling a design object depiction based on theone or more design object identifiers contained in the design object.The method also includes executing a first augmented content level ofthe plurality of augmented content levels so as to display 1) the designobject depiction, 2) one or more augmentation elements that are relatedto the design object, and 3) at least one input element that controls atleast one of the design object depiction and the one or moreaugmentation elements.

Another embodiment of the disclosure is a method of making an augmentedreality system. The method includes manufacturing a textile materialhaving a face and a back that is opposed to the face such that at leastone of the face and the back includes a design object including one ormore design object identifiers. The method also includes forming thetextile material into a textile article. The method can includepackaging the textile article with one or more access codes. The inputof the access codes into a user interface running a portal on acomputing device, causes the augmented reality software application tobe stored on a memory of the computing device. In such an embodiment,the augmented reality software application is configured to a) compile adesign object depiction based on the one or more design objectidentifiers including in the design object. The augmented realitysoftware application is further configured execute a first augmentedcontent level of a plurality of augmented content levels, so as todisplay 1) the design object depiction, 2) one or more augmentationelements that are related to the design object, and 3) at least oneinput element that controls at least one of the design object depictionand the one or more augmentation elements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description ofillustrative embodiments of the present application, will be betterunderstood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For thepurposes of illustrating the present application, illustrativeembodiments of the disclosure are shown in the drawings. It should beunderstood, however, that the application is not limited to the precisearrangements and instrumentalities shown.

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustrating a computing device and an interactivetextile article that can implement an augmented reality application,according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating multiple, networked computing devices,according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a client computing device as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is a server computing device shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating multiple augmented realityprograms contained in a memory of a computing device.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary augmentedreality program.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged schematic view of an interactive textile.

FIGS. 8A-8C are detailed views of design objects embodied in the textilearticle shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the textile article taken along line 9-9in FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of a portion of a woven textile includingprinted design objects, according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of a portion of a woven textile withintegrally formed design objects, according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIGS. 12A-12C illustrate alternative embodiments of pile fabrics withintegrally formed design objects.

FIG. 13 is a schematic plan view of a portion of a knitted textile, withintegrally formed design objects, according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure

FIGS. 14A-14F are schematic illustrations of fabric design elements.

FIGS. 15A-15C illustrate alternative design objects applied to a textilearticle.

FIGS. 16A-16C are process flow diagrams illustrating a method forimplementing an augmented reality application based on design elementswith an interactive textile, according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

An embodiment of the present disclosure is a system 1 configured toimplement an augmented reality environment on the computing device 20based content that is related to one or more designs on the textilearticle 100. The system 1 can include an interactive textile article 100and computing device 20. As illustrated, the textile article 100includes a textile material 110 that includes one or more design objects120. The computing device 20 can include a scanning device that can scanthe textile material and can convert the scanned data into a digitaldata set. An augmented reality software program can cause the display ofa) one or more design object depictions 60 and 62 that correspond todesign objects 120 contained in the scanned data set, b) augmentationelements 80 than can manipulate the displayed environment, and c) inputelements 70 that control design object depictions 60 and 62 andaugmentation elements 80. A user can interact with displayed augmentedreality via the input elements 70 through a series of content levels orlevels that include content that is related the particular designobject. In this way, the augmented reality and interactive textilesystem 1 is configured to allow a user to interact with differentcomponents of the textile article 100 through digital medium.

Referring to FIG. 2, an embodiment of the present disclosure is a system1 including at least one server computing device 10, a plurality ofcomputing devices 20 a, 20 b, 20 c, . . . 20 n, in electroniccommunication with the server computing device 10, and one or moresoftware applications 30 s and 30 c (see FIGS. 3 and 4) implementedacross computing devices 10 and 20 a, 20 b, 20 c . . . 20 n. Eachcomputing device 20 a, 20 b, 20 c, . . . 20 n may be associated with adifferent person or user. Furthermore, one or more up to all of thecomputing devices 20 a-20 n can be associated via social network. Forpurposes of clarifying how the software application is implementedacross the various computing devices, reference number 20 is usedinterchangeably with reference numbers 20 a, 20 b, 20 c . . . , 20 n,unless noted otherwise. In addition, the present disclosure describessoftware applications implemented over system components and configuredto execute various steps in the methods described below. It should beappreciated that a software application can implement steps in thedescribed methods utilizing all of the system components or justportions of the system components. Furthermore, the softwareapplications are described below in singular form. It should beappreciated that multiple software applications may interface to performthe described functions and multiple applications can run on more thanone computing device to implement the methodologies described herein.

Continuing with reference to FIG. 2, the system 1 can be implemented viaexemplary architecture that includes computing devices 10, 20 a, 20 b,20 c . . . , 20 n in electronic communication with each other via acommon communications network, such as, for example, the Internet. Asillustrated, the computing devices 20 a, 20 b, 20 c . . . 20 n andserver computing device 10 are arranged in a client-server architecture.The server computing device 10 can receive and transmit data to othercomputing devices 20 via the communications network. In addition, one upto all the computing devices 20 can receive information from the othercomputing devices 20. And one up to all of the computing devices 20 cantransmit information to the other computing devices 20. Furthermore, oneor all of the computing devices 10, 20 can access information on theother computing devices 10, 20. “Access” or “accessing” as used hereincan include retrieving information stored in memory on a computingdevice. For instance, “access” or “accessing” includes sendinginstructions via the network from server computing device 10 tocomputing device 20 a so as to cause information to be transmitted tothe memory of the computing device 20 a for access locally by thecomputing device 20 a. In addition or alternatively, “access” or“accessing” can include the server computing device 10 sending aninstruction to computing device 20 a to access information stored in thememory of the computing device 20 a. Reference to server computingdevice 10 and computing device 20 a in this paragraph is exemplary andare used to only clarify use of words “access” or accessing.”

FIG. 2 illustrates a client-server network. But the software applicationcan be implemented over any number of network configurations. Forexample, in alternate embodiments, the computing devices 20 a, 20 b, 20c . . . 20 n are configured as a peer-to-peer network architecture. Instill other alternative embodiments, the computing devices 20 a, 20 b,20 c . . . 20 n can be arranged in a ring-type network architecture.Further, the software application can be implemented across computingdevices arranged on a network that includes aspects of a client-servernetwork, peer-to-peer network, ring-type network, and/or other networkarchitectures known to a person of ordinary skill in the art.Accordingly, it should be appreciated that numerous suitable alternativecommunication architectures are envisioned for implementing the softwareapplication 30 on a user's computing device.

Turning to FIG. 3, the computing device 20 is configured to receive,process, and store various information used to implement one or moresoftware applications, such as client software application 30 c. It willbe understood that the hardware components of computing device 20 caninclude any appropriate device, examples of which include a portablecomputing device, such as a laptop, tablet or smart phone, or othercomputing devices, such as, a desktop computing device or aserver-computing device.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the computing device 20 includes one or moreprocessors 22, a memory 24, an input/output 26, and a user interface(UI) 28. It is emphasized that the operation diagram depiction of thecomputing device 20 is exemplary and not intended to imply a specificimplementation and/or configuration. The processor 22, memory 24,input/output portion 26 and user interface 28 can be coupled together toallow communications therebetween, and can interface with the clientsoftware application 30 c. The client software application 30 c mayinclude an application programmatic interface (API). As should beappreciated, any of the above components may be distributed across oneor more separate devices. The computing device 20 can include scanningdevice, such a camera that captures an image of the design object 120.For instance, the camera may include charge-coupled device (CCD) or acontact image sensor (CIS) as the image sensor.

Continuing with FIG. 3, the memory 24 can be volatile (such as sometypes of RAM), non-volatile (such as ROM, flash memory, etc.), or acombination thereof, depending upon the exact configuration and type ofprocessor 22. The computing device 20 can include additional storage(e.g., removable storage and/or non-removable storage) including, butnot limited to, tape, flash memory, smart cards, CD-ROM, digitalversatile disks (DVD) or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes,magnetic tape, magnetic storage or other magnetic storage devices,universal serial bus (USB) compatible memory, or any other medium whichcan be used to store information and which can be accessed by thecomputing device 20.

Continuing with FIG. 3, in various embodiments, the input/output portion26 includes an antenna or an electronic connector for wired connection,or a combination thereof. In some implementations, input/output portion26 can include a receiver and transmitter, transceiver ortransmitter-receiver. The input/output portion 26 is capable ofreceiving and/or providing information pertaining to communication witha network such as, for example, the Internet. As should be appreciated,transmit and receive functionality may also be provided by one or moredevices external to the computing device 20. For instance, theinput/output portion 26 can be in electronic communication with areceiver.

Referring to FIG. 3, the user interface 28, which can include an inputdevice and/or display (input device and display not shown) that allows auser to communicate with the computing device 20. The user interface 28can include inputs that provide the ability to control the computingdevice 20, via, for example, buttons, soft keys, a mouse, voice actuatedcontrols, a touch screen, movement of the computing device 20, visualcues (e.g., moving a hand in front of a camera on the computing device20), or the like. The user interface 28 can provide outputs, includingvisual displays. Other outputs can include audio information (e.g., viaspeaker), mechanically (e.g., via a vibrating mechanism), or acombination thereof. In various configurations, the user interface 28can include a display, a touch screen, a keyboard, a mouse, anaccelerometer, a motion detector, a speaker, a microphone, a camera, orany combination thereof. The user interface 28 can further include anysuitable device for inputting biometric information, such as, forexample, fingerprint information, retinal information, voiceinformation, and/or facial characteristic information, for instance, soas to require specific biometric information for access to the computingdevice 20. It should be appreciated that the computer devices canoperate via any suitable operating system, such as Android, BSD, iOS,Linux, OS X, QNX, Microsoft Windows, Windows Phone, and IBM z/OS.Furthermore, the software application can operate with any of theaforementioned operation systems.

FIG. 4 is an operation diagram of the server computing device 10. Theserver computing device 10 includes one or more processors 12, a memory14, an input/output 16, and a user interface (UI) 18, and one or moresoftware applications, such as server software application 30 s. Theserver software application 30 s may also include an applicationprogrammatic interface (API). The processor 12, memory 14, input/outputportion 16 and interface 18 can be coupled together to allowcommunications therebetween. As should be appreciated, any of the abovecomponents may be distributed across one or more separate servercomputing devices. The server computing device processor 12, memory 14,input/output 16, and interface 18 are similar to the processor 22,memory 24, input/output 26, and interface 28 described above withrespect computing device 20. It should be appreciated that the servercomputer device can operate via any suitable operating system, such asAndroid, BSD, iOS, Linux, OS X, QNX, Microsoft Windows, Windows Phone,and IBM z/OS. It is emphasized that the operation diagram depiction ofthe server computing device 10 is exemplary and not intended to imply aspecific implementation and/or configuration.

The software application 30 can comprise the client application 30 c andthe server application 30 s. Accordingly, certain functions can beimplemented on the server computing device 10 and other functions can beimplemented on the client computing devices 20. Software application 30,client application 30 c, server application 30 s may be usedinterchangeably herein.

Referring to FIG. 5, the software application 30 can include one or moreaugmented reality programs 40 contained in the memory 14 of the servercomputing device 10 (or client computing device 20 as needed). Asillustrated, memory 14 includes three augmented reality programs 40 a,40 b, and 40 c. It should be appreciated that more than the threeaugmented reality programs 40 can be stored on the server computingdevice 10 and/or optionally on the client computing device 20. Referencesign 40 will be used interchangeably with reference signs 40 a, 40 b,and 40 c unless noted otherwise. In certain implementations, portions ofan augmented reality program 40 may also be stored in memory 24 of aclient computing device 20. In addition, in some instances, all of theaugmented reality programs 40 can be stored on the server computingdevice 10 and transmitted to the client computing device 20. The memory14 of computing device 10 may include a database (not shown) thatcontains the association between one or more augmented reality programs40 and one or more different design objects embodied on textile article100.

As shown in FIG. 6, each augmented reality program 40 includes an imagerecognition module 42, a design object compiler 44, an interface module46, and a plurality of augmented content levels 50, 52, and 54. Theimage recognition module 42 is configured to process data captured viathe scanning device, e.g. the camera, on the client computing device 20and identify the design object. The image recognition module 42 canidentify one or more design object identifiers in the captured scanneddata of the design object. In some instances, spatial relationships aredetermined among the located design object identifiers. Based on thedesign object identifiers, the image recognition module 42 can compile adata set that is indicative of the design object contained in the image.

The design object compiler 44 can compile one or more design objectdepiction. A design object depiction is a virtual representation of thedesign object 120 embodied in the textile article 100. The design objectcompiler 44 can create the design object depiction based on the compileddata set and the geometric relationships between various design objectidentifiers. In other embodiments, the design object compiler 44 canalso access design object depictions that may be stored on the computermemory 14 of the server device 10. In still other embodiments, thedesign object compiler 44 can compile design object depictions based onthe compiled data set and a database of design models related to thedesign object. In such an embodiment, the design object compiler 44,when executed by the processor, determines which design models areassociated with the compiled data parameters. Upon identification of theassociated design models, the design object compiled can build a designobject depiction from the design model and other parameters obtained inthe compile data set, such as geometric data.

The interface module 46 is configured to interface the design objectdepiction with the augmentation levels as well as other data related tovisual scene in the captured scanned data. In some instances, theinterface module 46 can also integrate other portions of the image withthe design object depiction and the augmentation levels.

Continuing with FIG. 6, the augmented content levels 50, 52, and 54implement the design object depiction into an interactive augmentedreality display on screen 90 (FIG. 1) of the computing device 20.Specifically, each augmented content level 50, 52, and 54 is configuredto display on the screen 90 1) respective design object depiction 60 (or62) (FIG. 1), 2) one or more augmentation elements 80 that are relatedto the design object 120, and 3) at least one input element 80configured to control the design object depiction 60 and the one or moreaugmentation elements 80.

The augment reality program includes content related the design object120. Furthermore, the content can be thematically associated with thedesign object 120 on the textile article 100 obtained in the image. Forinstance, as illustrated in FIG. 1, one exemplary design object is ahouse 120 a The augmented elements 80 can partially define the contentrelated to the design object depiction 60, such as the house 120 adesign into the textile material 110. For instance, augmentationelements 80 can include an arrangement of the house 120 in a virtualneighborhood that includes a street, a yard, neighboring houses, a tree,etc. The augmentation elements 80 can also include internal structuresof the house, such as, a living room, kitchen, dining room, and abedroom. The augmentation elements 80 are configured to dynamicallyrespond to inputs received via the input elements, or alter theenvironment based on predefined rules. For example, in the example shownin FIG. 1, the augmentation elements 80 may be configured to modify thedisplayed environment based on a perceived time of day, e.g. the sun isout during the day and sets at night, such that lighting and shadows areshown in the display based on the perceived time of date. For example,the input element 70 can cause a person 80 to enter the house, turn onthe lights, and enter different rooms. Accordingly, the input elements70 permit the user to control and/or interact with the design objectdepiction 60 and the augmentation elements 80. The augmented contentlevels 50, 52, and 54 are configured to allow user progression throughthe augmented reality environment. Accordingly, the augmented contentlevels can also be referred to as a content level or stage. While ahouse 120 a is shown in FIG. 1 and described above as the design object,the design object 120 can be any particular design. The related contentin augment reality environment can therefore vary along with theparticular design object embodied on the textile article.

As discussed above, the augmented reality program 40 includes a firstaugmented content level 50, a second augmented content level 52, and athird augmented content level 54. Each augmented content level 50, 52,and 54 can include one or design object depictions, such as designobject depictions 60 and 62 as shown in FIG. 1. Each augmented contentlevel may include similar content among the plurality of content levels.For example, all content is related to a house. Alternatively, eachaugmented content level 50, 52, and 54 may include content that variesamong the plurality of augmented content levels. For example, contentcan related to house 120 a in the first augmented content level 50, atree in the second augmented content level 52, and the moon 120 d in thethird augmented content level.

In accordance with an embodiment, the second augmented content levelincludes one more design object depictions. For instance, the secondaugmentation level can include either or a first design object depictionbased the design object contained in the initial image, or a seconddesign object depiction based a second design object in the textilearticle. The second augmentation level also includes one or more secondaugmentation elements that are related to the respective design objectand at least one second input element that controls the design objectdepiction and the one or more second augmentation elements. In theexample shown in FIG. 1, if the design object 120 is the house 120 a andthe first augmentation element 80 relate to the structure of the house120 a, the second augmentation elements can include content specific tothe kitchen in the house, for instance; to allow the user to engagevirtual cooking. In another example if the second design object is thetree next to the house, and the first augmentation element relates tothe structure of the house, the second augmentation elements includecontent specific to tree, for example, such as a tree structure forclimbing, tree species, etc.

Furthermore, the third augmented content level includes either thedesign object depiction contained in the initial image, the seconddesign object depiction, or a third design object depiction based athird design object of the textile article. The third augmentation levelalso includes one or more third augmentation elements that are relatedto the design object. The third augmentation level also includes atleast one third input element that controls at least one of the designobject depictions and the third augmentation elements. In one example,if the first design object is the house and first augmentation elementrelate the structure of the house, the third augmentation elements caninclude content specific to the neighborhood, such as streets. Forinstance, the third augmentation level can allow a user engage in a bikerace through the neighborhood.

As the user progresses through and completes the first augmented contentlevel 50, the user interface displays a content change element 92 (FIG.1). Selection of the content change element 92 can initiate the secondaugmented content level 52. As the user progresses through and completesthe second augmented content level 52, the user interface displaysanother content change element. Selection of the content change element92 can initiate the third augmented content level 54. At each step wherea subsequent augmented content level is initiated, the application cancause the display of a payment portal to access the next augmentedcontent level. Although three augmented reality content levels areillustrated, the augmented reality program 40 can have two or more thanthree augmented content levels.

Turing now to FIGS. 7-8C, the interactive textile article 100 isillustrated. As illustrated, the textile article 100 is a blanket 102including a border 104 that defines a perimeter of the textile article100. The textile article 100 can be any other article that includesgenerally planar textile material that forms a substantial component ofthe article. Furthermore, a textile article 100, as used hereinincludes, but is not limited to, a blanket, bed linen, a comforter, arug, a carpet, a tapestry, a tapestry, a set of curtains, or a garment.The textile article 100 can be packaged with one or more access codes.The access codes can be tags, alphanumeric codes, QR codes, hyperlinksincluding on a textile material itself or on tags package with thetextile article 100. Input of the access codes into an interface on thecomputing device 20, causes augmented reality software application 30 tobe stored on a memory of the computing device 20.

Turning to FIGS. 7 and 9, as described above, the textile article 100includes a textile material 110 and at least one (a plurality) of designobjects 120. The design objects include one or more design objectidentifiers 130. The textile material 110 has a face 112 and a back 114that is opposed to the face 112. The design objects 120 are disposed onthe face 112 of the textile material 110. In some instances, the designobject may be disposed on the face 112 and back 114 of the textilematerial. The textile material is further described below. Asillustrated, the textile material 110 includes multiple design objects,such as a house 120 a, a tree 120 b, clouds 120 c, moon 120 d, and stars120 e. FIG. 7 is an exemplary illustration of design object embodied inthe textile article 100. Thus, the design objects 120 can be any design,shape or arrangement of elements. For instance, the design object mayinclude, but is not limited to, a person, a building, an automobile(FIG. 15A), an airplane (FIG. 15B), a boat, a castle (FIG. 15C), sportsgear (e.g. a football, soccer ball, basketball, golf club and golf ball,baseball and bat), an animal, a geographic location, a landscape, aforest, a tree, a mountain, a river, a lake, an ocean, a sun, a star, amoon, a planet, or a galaxy. The design object may also be a characterfrom an audio-visual work, a literary work, or a theatrical work, or anytype of multi-media animation. For instance, the design object caninclude one or more characters within the portfolio of Disney brandedcharacters, such as characters from the Frozen franchise, or otherDisney characters. In another example, the design object can include oneor more characters, such as Spider-man, Superman, Batman, X-Men, orother contemporary characters.

Referring to FIGS. 7-9C, each design object 120 includes one or designobject identifiers 130. The design object identifier can be one or moreportions the design object 120. In one example, the design objectidentifier 130 is one more the edge portions 131 of design object 120.For example, the edge portion can be a linear edge, angled linear, acurved edge, a circular edge, or an intersection of two edges. The edgeportion can be defined by contrast between two colors in the design.FIGS. 8A-8C, illustrate exemplary object identifiers for design objectsillustrated as the house 120 a, a tree 120 b, clouds 120 c, and the moon120 d. In FIG. 8A, the design object 120 a includes object identifiersconfigured as linear design elements 132 and angled elements 134. InFIG. 8B, the moon 120 d includes object identifiers configured as curvedelements 136. In FIG. 8C, the tree 120 b includes object identifiersconfigured as monolithic shape elements 138.

The object identifiers are illustrated as components of the designobject. In alternative embodiments, the object identifier can be a code,an alphanumeric code, QR codes, embedded into or printed onto thetextile material. Such an electronic code can be associated withpredefined design object stored in the server memory 14. The imagerecognition module 42 can be used to identify the design object on thetextile material. In still other embodiments, the object identifier caninclude an electronic object identifier in the form of a transmitterformed into the textile structure via a yarn or conductive printedmaterials. The electronic object identifier can transmit signalconcerning the design object to the computing device.

The textile material 110 can be a woven fabric, a knit fabric (weft orwarp), a nonwoven fabric, and laminates thereof. In other embodiments,the textile material can be laminate that includes: a) one or more filmsand a woven fabric; b) one or more films and a knit fabric; and c) oneor more films and a nonwoven fabric. Regardless of the construction, thedesign object 120 can be integrally formed into the textile material, asillustrated in FIGS. 11-13. Alternatively, the design object may beprinted onto the textile material, as illustrated in FIGS. 9, 10, and15A-15C.

In accordance with one embodiment, the textile material 110 can be awoven fabric 140 that defines a woven structure with the design object120 is integrally formed into the woven structure. As shown in FIG. 11,the woven fabric 140 b includes a plurality of warp yarns 142 binterwoven with a plurality of weft yarns 144 b to define the designobject 120. For instance, the areas where the warp yarns 142 b areexposed to the face of the fabric can be arranged in such a way so as todefine the design object 120 and object identifier 130. In such anexample, woven fabrics can be based on dobby, jacquard, complex(multiple warps), 3D fabric weaving systems, which can be used to createsimple to complex patterns on the face of the woven fabric. FIG. 11illustrates an embodiment of woven fabric 140 a utilizing a multiplewarp system to create complex design objects.

FIGS. 14A-14F are schematic diagrams illustrating how the warp yarns andweft yarns in the woven fabric design can define the object identifier130. Each diagram includes multiple unit cells 190 with a machine orwarp direction 2 that is perpendicular to a cross or weft direction 4.For woven structures, the shaded cells 192 represent a warp yarn exposedto the fabric face over a weft yarn. Thus, the woven fabric 140 candefine a series of warp yarns exposed on the face in such way to definea linear edge design element 132. An angled linear design element 134 isshown FIG. 14A and a linear design element 132 aligned with the warpdirection is shown in FIG. 14D. Furthermore, the fabric design candefine two linear elements 132 a that intersect, as illustrated in FIG.14B. In another example, the woven fabric design can define a circulardesign element 139, as shown in FIG. 14C. In yet another example, asshown in FIG. 14E, the woven structure can define a curved element 136.In still another example shown in FIG. 14F, the woven structure candefine a complete shape element 138 depending on the type of fabricformation system used. Furthermore, woven structures can appearpixilated at the location where the warp yarn travels back beneath theweft yarn (see e.g. intersection of until cells 196 and 198 in FIGS.14A-14F). The image recognition module 42 described above is configuredto account for such a pixilation by compiling a design element linealong the identified design element, similar to the line 191 shown inFIGS. 14A-14F. The design element line 191 can be used to define theedge of the design object, and therefore an object identifier asdescribed above. Furthermore, in alternative embodiments, the wovenfabric can include distinct sets of weft yarns or in-laid yarns that areexposed to the face adjacent the warp facing yarn. The distinct in-laidyarns may be a different color, construction or fiber type that helpsfurther define the specific design element and line path 191.

FIGS. 12A-12C illustrate a textile material configured as pile fabricthat includes a pile structure and a design object integrally formed inthe pile structure. In such embodiments, specific piles can be formedfrom different colored yarns arranged so as to define a portion of thedesign object 120. In addition, one or more pile floats can be formedinto the pile fabric to define a design element, such an edge of adesign object 120. As shown in FIG. 12A, a pile fabric 150 a includeslooped piles 152 a and a ground or base fabric 154 a. The looped piles152 a are selectively placed along a warp and weft direction 2 and 4(weft direction 4 not shown) so as define portion of the design object120 and an edge that define an design object identifier. As shown inFIG. 12B, a pile fabric 150 b includes cut piles 152 b and a ground orbase fabric 154 b. The cut piles 152 b are selectively placed along awarp and weft direction 2 and 4 (weft direction 4 not shown) so asdefine portion of the design object 120. Floats can define an edge ordesign object identifier 130. As shown in FIG. 12C, a pile fabric 150 cconfigured as tuft rug that includes cut piles 152 c and a ground orbase fabric 154 c. One or more of cut piles 152 c include color yarns156 c that are selectively placed along a warp and weft direction 2 and4 (not shown) so as define portion of the design object 120. The edge ofcolored yarns 156 c can define an edge or design object identifier 130.

FIGS. 14A-14F can also illustrate how various pile yarns in a pilefabrics 150 a, 150 b, and 150 c can define the design object 120 and theone or more object identifiers 130. For instance, for a pile fabrics 150a, 150 b, and 150 c, each unit cell in design illustrations in FIGS.14A-14F could represent a single pile. The shaded cells 192 canrepresent specific piles formed from different colored yarns arranged soas to define a portion of the design object. Unshaded shells canrepresent different yarns or pile floats. Thus, the pile fabric caninclude pile yarns of a first color or type arranged to define an angledlinear design element 134 is shown FIG. 14A, and a linear design element132 aligned with the warp direction 2 is shown in FIG. 14D. Furthermore,the piles fabric design can arrange the first color pile yarns arrangedto define: two linear elements 132 a that intersect as illustrated inFIG. 14B; a circular design element 139 shown in FIG. 14C; a curvedelement 136 as shown in FIG. 14E; or a complete shape element 138 asshown in FIG. 14F.

In another embodiment, the textile material is a knit fabric 160includes a knit structure 161 and design objects 120 integrally formedinto the knit structure 161. FIG. 13 illustrates an exemplary schematicof a knit fabric 160 with a knit structure 161 having the a plurality ofknit stitches 162 that define the design object 120. The arrangement ofknit stitches 162 can further define the object identifier 130. The knitfabric 160 may be a weft knit, such as a double knit, rib knit, orjacquard knit formed to define specific arrangements of knit stitches162. The knit stitches 162 may include tuck, held, float stitches,and/or inlaid yarns.

Furthermore, the FIGS. 14A-14F also illustrate how various yarncomponents in knit structure define the design object 120 and objectidentifier 130. For instance, for a knit structure, the shaded cells 192can represent a specific stitch type, such as a tuck, held, or floatstitch, or inlay. The shaded shells 192 represent a knit structuralcomponent that is used to define a portion of the design object 120.Again, specific yarn types can be inserted or inlayed adjacent to knitstiches represented by the shaded cells 192 in order to further definethe edge or design element, as described above. FIGS. 14A-14F can alsoillustrate how various knit structure in a knit fabric 160 can definethe design object 120 and the one or more object identifiers 130. Forinstance, for knit fabrics 160, each unit cell in design illustrationsin FIGS. 14A-14F could represent a knit stitch. The shaded cells 192 canrepresent specific types of knit stitches. Thus, the knit fabric 161 candefine an arrangement stitches to define: an angled linear designelement 134 is shown FIG. 14A;a linear design element 132 aligned withthe warp direction 2 is shown in FIG. 14D; two linear elements 132 athat intersect as illustrated in FIG. 14B; a circular design element 139shown in FIG. 14C; a curved element 136 as shown in FIG. 14E; or acomplete shape element 138 as shown in FIG. 14F. The knit fabric mayalternatively be a warp knit, such as a tricot or rachel warp knittedfabric.

The woven, knit and pile fabrics can be formed from a wide range offiber types and yarn formation systems. For example, the woven, knit andpile fabrics can be formed from any number of yarn types, such a spunyarns or continuous filament yarns. Spun yarns may include naturalfibers, synthetic fibers, or blends of natural and synthetic staplefibers. Natural fibers include cotton, wool, or others. Synthetic fibersmay include polyethylene terephthalate (PET), viscose rayon, acrylic, orother fiber types, such as flame resistant fibers, as needed. Suitablethermoplastic synthetic staple fibers may be mono-component,bi-component, or tri-component type fibers. Such fibers can be splitableto define microfibers. A variety of yarn spinning types can be used,such as ring spun, open end, air-jet, and the like. Spun yarns, cantherefore include: spun cotton yarns and/or spun cotton and polyethyleneterephthalate (PET) blended yarns. Continuous filaments yarns mayinclude either or both mono-component or bicomponent filaments types.Continuous filament yarns can be polyethylene terephthalate, polyolefin,and/or polyamide 6, polyamide 6,6, polylactic acid filaments.

The textile material 110 may also be a nonwoven fabric having a designobject 120 printed thereon. Any suitable printing technique can be usedto define the design object. Suitable nonwoven fabrics, includemelt-spun nonwovens, such as spunbond and meltblown materials. Ameltspun nonwoven can include a single spunbond layer, multiple spunbondlayers, a single meltblown layer, multiple meltblown layers, or multiplelayers of spunbond and meltblown materials. Meltspun nonwovens can beformed with polyethylene terephthalate, polyolefin, and/or polyamide 6,polyamide 6,6, or polylactic acid polymers. Nonwoven fabrics can beformed with mono-component, bi-component, or tri-component fibers. Suchfibers can be splitable and further processed to define microfibers. Onesuitable nonwoven fabric is Evolon® manufactured by Freudenberg & Co.Alternatively, the nonwoven fabrics can be bonded thermally bonded,chemically bonded, and/or mechanically bonded, e.g. via needles, stitchbonded, or hydraulically bonded. In alternative embodiments, thenonwoven fabrics can be embossed to define one or more design objects.

In another embodiment, the design object 120 can be printed on the anyone of the aforementioned textile materials including, nonwovenmaterials. Printing can include digital printing, screen printing,sublimation printing. For instance, in one example, the textile materialcan be a woven fabric 140 with the design object 120 printed on its face112 (and/or back). In another example, the textile material can be aweft knitted fabric 150 with the design object 120 printed on its face112 (and/or back). In another example, the textile material can be awarp knitted fabric with the design object 120 printed on its face 112(and/or back). In another example, the textile material can be anonwoven fabric with the design object 120 printed on its face 112(and/or back).

FIGS. 15A-15C illustrate alternative embodiments of a textile article300 a, 300 b, and 300 c. Textile articles 300 a, 300 b, and 300 cinclude textile materials 310 a, 310 b, and 310 c, respectively. Textilearticles 300 a, 300 b, and 300 c, include design objects 320 a, 320 b,and 320 c printed onto the textile material. In FIG. 15A, the designobject 320 a can be an automobile, such as a race car. Content in therelated augmented reality program is related to race cars. In FIG. 15B,the design object 320 b can be a castle. Content in the relatedaugmented reality program is related to a castle. In FIG. 15C, thedesign object 320 c can be an airplane. Content in the related augmentedreality program is related to an airplane.

FIGS. 16A-16C illustrate a method 200 for implementing an augmentedreality environment utilizing the interactive textile article 100 andcomputing device 20. The method initiates in block 202 when the useraccesses and stores the application 30 on the computing device 20. Inblock 202, the user can input an electronic access code packaged withthe textile article 100 into an interface on the computing device 20.For instance, the user can access a portal via the computing device 20to download the application 30. In block 204, a scanning device on thescan a portion of an interactive textile article that includes a designobject. In one example, scanning the textile includes capturing an imageof the textile via a camera. In block 206, the application 30, forinstance the image recognition module, identifies one or more designobject identifiers of the design object in the image. In block 210, theapplication compiles a design object depiction based on the one or moredesign object identifiers contained in the design object. Processcontrol is transferred to block 214.

In block 214, the first augmented content level is initiated. Processcontrol is transferred to block 220. In block 220 (FIG. 16B), the firstaugmented content level displays on the screen 90 (FIG. 1) 1) the designobject depiction, 2) one or more augmentation elements that are relatedto the design object, and 3) at least one input element that controlsone of the design object depiction and the one or more augmentationelements.

In block 224, the application determines if the input elements areengaged. If the input elements have not been engaged, process control istransferred to block 228. In block 228, the first augmentation levelprogressives passively. If the input elements have been engaged, processcontrol is transferred to block 232, where the first augmentation levelprogresses interactively. For instance, the user can control interactionof the design object depiction with the at least one augmentationelements.

In block 236, the application causes the display of portals or elements,the selection of which cause the display of additional augmentationlevels, such as the second augmentation level. In block 240, theapplication determines if the second augmentation level element has beenselected by the user. If the second augmentation level element is notselected by the user, process control is transferred to block 232. Theuser can progress though the first augmentation level interactively. Ifthe second augmentation level element has been selected by the user,process control is transferred to block 242.

In block 242, the application initiates the second augmented contentlevel. Process control is transferred to block 244. In block 244, thesecond augmented content level displays 1) the first design objectdepiction and/or the second design object depiction), 2) one or moresecond augmentation elements that are related to the respective designobject, and 3) at least one second input element that controls at leastone of the design object depiction and the one or more secondaugmentation elements. Process control is transferred to block 248.

In block 248, the application determines if the second input elementsare engaged. If the second input elements have not been engaged, processcontrol is transferred to block 252. In block 252, the secondaugmentation level progresses passively. If the second input elementshave been engaged, process control is transferred to block 256, wherethe second augmentation level progressives interactively. For instance,the user can control interaction of the first and/or second designobject depiction with the second augmentation elements.

In block 260, the application causes the display of content changeelements 92 (FIG. 1). Selection of content change element 92 causes thedisplay of additional augmentation levels, for example, such as thethird augmentation level. In block 260, the application determines ifthe third augmentation level element has been selected by the user. Ifthe third augmentation level element is not selected by the user,process control is transferred to block 256 and user can progress thoughthe third augmentation level interactively. If the third augmentationlevel element has been selected by the user, process control istransferred to block 274. In block 274, the method progresses throughsteps similar to the steps illustrated in blocks 242 through 270. Forinstance, additional augmentation levels, such as the third augmentationlevel can be initiated. At each step (blocks 242 and 272) where asubsequent augmented content level is initiated, the application cancause the display of a payment portal to access the next augmentedcontent level.

In another embodiment, multiple users can the networked together so asto interface within each other's augmented relatedly environments. Asdescribed above, each computing device 20 a, 20 b, 20 c, . . . , 20 nmay be associated with a person or user. Each user can participate in annetworked augmented reality environment by associating their computingdevice with a networking platform, such as a gaming or applicationplatform (not shown). Once associated with the gaming platform, the usercan enter and participate in one or more the augmented reality contentlevels described above. For example, a first user can be associated witha first computing device, which can include an augmented realitysoftware program that executes the first augmented content level. Asecond user can be associated with a second computing device, which caninclude an augmented software program that is executing a first augmentcontent level that is interfaced to the first augmented content level ofthe first computing device. The first and second users can each controltheir respective design object depictions and augmentation elementswithin a common augmented reality environment.

Another embodiment of the present disclosure is a method for making anaugmented reality system including an interactive textile article. Themethod includes manufacturing a textile material to includes a designobject having one or more design object identifiers. Then, the textilematerial is formed into a textile article, such as cutting an hemmingand adding binding as needed. The textile article is packaged with oneor more electronic access codes as described above. The codes can betags, alphanumeric codes, QR codes, or hyperlinks. Input of the codesinto an interface on the computing device 20 causes the augmentedreality software application 30 to be stored on a memory of thecomputing device 20. As noted above, the textile article can bemanufactured as according to formation systems described above. Suchthat the design object is printed on the textile material or the designobject is integrally formed into the textile structure.

While the disclosure is described herein using a limited number ofembodiments, these specific embodiments are not intended to limit thescope of the disclosure as otherwise described and claimed herein. Theprecise arrangement of various elements and order of the steps ofarticles and methods described herein are not to be considered limiting.For instance, although the steps of the methods are described withreference to a sequential series of reference signs and progression ofthe blocks in the Figures, the method can be implemented in a particularorder, as desired.

What is claimed:
 1. A system, comprising: an interactive textile articleincluding a textile material having a face and a back that is opposed tothe face, at least one of the face and the back including a designobject, the design object including one or more design objectidentifiers, wherein the design object is associated with an augmentedreality software program configured to include content related to thedesign object; and an augmented reality program contained in a memory ofa computing device and executable by a processor, the augmented realityprogram including a plurality of augmented content levels, the augmentedreality program when executed by the processor: a) compiles a designobject depiction that is based on the one or more design objectidentifiers included in the design object; and b) executes a firstaugmented content level of the plurality of augmented content levels,the first augmented content level configured to display on a computingdevice 1) the design object depiction, 2) one or more augmentationelements that are related to the design object, and 3) at least oneinput element configured to control the design object depiction and theone or more augmentation elements.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein thetextile article is a blanket, bed linen, a comforter, a rug, a carpet, atapestry, a set of curtains, or a garment.
 3. The system of claim 1,wherein the textile material is a woven fabric that defines a wovenstructure, wherein the design object is integrally formed into the wovenstructure.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the textile material is aknit fabric that defines a knit structure, wherein the design object isintegrally formed into the knit structure.
 5. The system of claim 1,wherein the textile material is a pile fabric including a plurality ofpile structures, and the design object is embodied in the plurality ofpile structures.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the design object isprinted onto the textile material.
 7. The system of claim 6, wherein thedesign object is digitally printed onto the textile material.
 8. Thesystem of claim 6, wherein the design object is sublimation printed ontothe textile material.
 9. The system of claim 1, wherein each designobject identifier is an edge of the design object.
 10. The system ofclaim 1, wherein at least one of the design object identifier is amarker embedded in the textile material.
 11. The system of claim 1,wherein the processor is configured to execute a second augmentedcontent level that includes the design object depiction, one or moresecond virtual elements, and at least one second input device, andwherein engagement of the at least one second input element causesprogression through the second augmented content level.
 12. The systemof claim 11, wherein the processor is configured to execute a thirdaugmented content level that includes the design object depiction, oneor more third virtual elements, and at least one third input device, andwherein engagement of the at least one third input element causesprogression through the third augmented content level.
 13. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the computing device includes a camera configured toobtain the image of the design object.
 14. The system of claim 1,wherein the augmented reality program is configured to interface withone or more additional augmented relative programs running on one ormore additional computing devices.
 15. The system of claim 14, whereinthe computing device is a first computing device, and the one or moreadditional computing devices is a second computing device, whereinrespective augmented reality programs when executed by the processorinterfaces the first augmented content level of the first computingdevice with the first augmented content level running on the secondcomputing device in a common augmented reality environment displayed onthe first and second computing devices.
 16. A method for displayingaugmented reality on a computing device, the method comprising the stepsof: scanning a portion of an interactive textile article that includes adesign object so as to identify one or more design object identifiers ofthe design object; compiling a design object depiction based on the oneor more design object identifiers; and initiating a first augmentedcontent level so as to display 1) the design object depiction, 2) one ormore augmentation elements that are related to the design object, and 3)at least one input element that controls at least one of the designobject depiction and the one or more augmentation elements.
 17. Themethod of claim 16, further comprising the step of controllinginteraction of the design object depiction with the one or moreaugmentation elements.
 18. The method of claim 16, further comprisingthe step of progressing through a series of displays of the firstaugmented content level.
 19. The method of claim 16, further comprisingthe step of initiating a second augmented content level so as todisplay 1) the design object depiction, 2) one or more secondaugmentation elements that are related to the design object, and 3) atleast one second input element that controls at least one of the designobject depiction and the one or more second augmentation elements. 20.The method of claim 16, further comprising the step, after progressionthrough the second augmented content level, initiating a third augmentedcontent level so as to display 1) the design object depiction, 2) one ormore third augmentation elements that are related to the design object,and 3) at least one third input element that controls at least one ofthe design object depiction and the one or more third augmentationelements.